There are few days more special to this country than Veterans Day. Today, we honor those who sacrificed and who survived, those who gave themselves to this country. American veterans are faced with challenges I can't begin to understand or relate. They've watched as this country pressed on throughout the darkest times, and they've wept as their brothers and sisters in the Forces have paid the ultimate sacrifice.
This is not a day of mourning; this is a day of thanks.
I had the privilege of laying a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier this past June, with the National Student Leadership Conference. It was an experience I'll never forget, or ever take lightly.
In order to be chosen for such a great honor, my peers and I were required to write a piece--from poetry to short story--describing what this meant to us. My poem was one of the fortunate ones picked, and I'll be sharing that later on in this post.
One may note that the poem doesn't seem to have any significant rhythm. Traditionally, this is true, but I've never been especially traditional when it comes to poetry. A style I've created--and that is one of my favorites--is writing a multi-stanza piece, with each stanza being a haiku. In this particular poem, there are nine haikus (stanzas) that come together to form an entire work.
I believe that the art of writing deserves this type of individuality, anyway, but especially when writing for a cause. My experience at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier taught me that.
Bitter taste of death
Left stale in our broken hearts
Grief slicing respect
Perspective shattered
Short words of an officer
Memories ignite.
Wind whistling through trees
white monuments saluting
in the glinting sun
Standing tall and proud
Remembering the fallen
living on in heart.
Glass tears slicing down
your sad baby face that day
With bittersweet thoughts
Suddenly, beauty
A flower drifting on by
Resting at the stone
And the rainbow comes
on your very own wet face
Smiles and tears both
Rain from sapphire eyes
Sun reflecting your strong heart
combined mosaic
And today I know
Now is a new beginning
Honor will not fall.
-KLA
This is not a day of mourning; this is a day of thanks.
I had the privilege of laying a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier this past June, with the National Student Leadership Conference. It was an experience I'll never forget, or ever take lightly.
In order to be chosen for such a great honor, my peers and I were required to write a piece--from poetry to short story--describing what this meant to us. My poem was one of the fortunate ones picked, and I'll be sharing that later on in this post.
One may note that the poem doesn't seem to have any significant rhythm. Traditionally, this is true, but I've never been especially traditional when it comes to poetry. A style I've created--and that is one of my favorites--is writing a multi-stanza piece, with each stanza being a haiku. In this particular poem, there are nine haikus (stanzas) that come together to form an entire work.
I believe that the art of writing deserves this type of individuality, anyway, but especially when writing for a cause. My experience at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier taught me that.
Bitter taste of death
Left stale in our broken hearts
Grief slicing respect
Perspective shattered
Short words of an officer
Memories ignite.
Wind whistling through trees
white monuments saluting
in the glinting sun
Standing tall and proud
Remembering the fallen
living on in heart.
Glass tears slicing down
your sad baby face that day
With bittersweet thoughts
Suddenly, beauty
A flower drifting on by
Resting at the stone
And the rainbow comes
on your very own wet face
Smiles and tears both
Rain from sapphire eyes
Sun reflecting your strong heart
combined mosaic
And today I know
Now is a new beginning
Honor will not fall.
-KLA